Pete Hegseth Plans Livestream of Nidal Hasan Execution

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army major convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3, which would be the first military firing squad since World War II and the first military execution of any kind since 1961.

President Donald Trump initially approved the plan but recently stated he is still deciding whether to proceed. Hegseth and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defend the proposal, arguing that the public must understand the consequences of attacking the United States.

The plan has faced sharp criticism from lawmakers and officials. Senator Dave McCormick and Governor Josh Shapiro argue that a public execution is cruel and could serve as a public relations benefit to terrorist groups and radicals abroad. Representative Chrissy Houlahan urged the Secretary of War to reconsider, noting that the United States has not held a public execution in over a century.